Contain the Infestation

How to Reduce the Spread of the Emerald Ash Borer

Let's put things into perspective. Dutch Elm disease has wiped out 200 million elm trees all over America.

The Emerald Ash Borer beetle threatens 7.5 billion (with a "b") trees in the United States and billions more at risk in Canada.

The little green Asian beetle arrived in Michigan on a packing crate in 2002.

By 2009, it had already spread to Ohio, Minnesota, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and West Virginia; even into Canada.

What's This Got To Do With My Woodpile?
Federal and state laws already exist to prevent infected wood from being transported into non-infected areas.

For example, transporting firewood from an infected area into a non-infected area in Ohio can result in a $4,000 fine.

Basically, the wood in your woodpile should only come from local sources. If you live in an uninfected area, you don't want to put every ash tree around you at risk.

How Can I Cope?
If you canít have your firewood delivered any more, no need to fret.

A logsplitter - even a small one - makes a world of difference in the amount of effort needed to stock up your woodpile.

Add a reliable chainsaw, and you can still easily save on your winter heating bills while protecting the ash trees in your neighborhood.

If you live near a camping area, a larger log splitter can mean extra income too. Campers shouldnít bring firewood with them anymore. Thatís what brought the Emerald Ash Borer to the popular New River Gorge area.

Having local wood available will still allow campfire símores, while keeping the nasty bug at bay.

A $2,000 log splitter is a lot less expensive than a $4,000 fine and infected trees in your neighborhood.